Flow conditioning assembly

Abstract

A flow conditioning assembly comprising an integral elbow flow conditioner and a downstream flow conditioner. The elbow flow conditioner includes a pipe elbow with one or more flow conditioning elements. Each flow conditioning element includes one or more turning guides. Each turning guide is generally circular and radially spaced from one another and an inner surface of the elbow. Spaced vanes maintain the radial spacing of the turning guides. The vanes divide the radial space between the turning guides and pipe elbow into a plurality of flow channels that turn in generally the same direction as the inner surface of the pipe elbow. The downstream flow conditioner comprises a flow conditioning structure within a pipe element. The flow conditioning structure includes one or more flow guides of generally circular form radially spaced from one another and the pipe element. Spaced support vanes maintain the radial spacing of the flow guides.

We claim: 
     
       1. A downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ), comprising:
 a pipe element ( 102 ) for conducting the flow of a fluid, said pipe element ( 102 ) being an annular conduit defining a radially inwardly-facing inner peripheral surface ( 112 ) that forms at least a portion of an axially-oriented fluid passageway extending from a generally axially-facing first end opening ( 110 A) to a generally axially-facing second end opening ( 110 B); 
 at least one flow conditioning structure ( 108 ) located at least partially within said pipe element ( 102 ) and comprising:
 a) at least a first flow guide ( 118 A) of generally circular form when viewed in transverse cross-section and located at least partially within and radially spaced from said pipe element ( 102 ), said first flow guide ( 118 A) having generally the same axial orientation as said inner peripheral surface ( 112 ) of said pipe element ( 102 ); 
 b) a second flow guide ( 118 B) of generally circular form when viewed in transverse cross-section and located at least partially within and radially spaced from said first flow guide ( 118 A), said second flow guide ( 118 B) having generally the same axial orientation as said inner peripheral surface ( 112 ); 
 c) a plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) comprising a first plurality of support vanes and a second plurality of support vanes, wherein:
 i) said first plurality of support vanes situated at least partially between said pipe element ( 102 ) and said first flow guide ( 118 A) and locating said first flow guide ( 118 A) relative to said pipe element ( 102 ), at least some of said first plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) having at least two vane flank surfaces ( 138 ) facing in generally opposite, generally circumferential directions, said first plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) circumferentially spaced from each other and circumferentially distributed around said first flow guide ( 118 A); and 
 ii) said second plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) situated at least partially between said first flow guide ( 118 A) and said second flow guide ( 118 B) and locating said second flow guide ( 118 B), said second plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) circumferentially spaced from each other and circumferentially distributed around said second flow guide ( 118 B); and 
 
 d) said first flow guide ( 118 A) and said second flow guide ( 118 B) each having an upstream guide end ( 132 ) and a downstream guide end ( 134 ), said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A) being closer than said downstream guide end ( 134 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A) to said first end opening ( 110 A) and said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said second flow guide ( 118 B) being closer than said downstream guide end ( 134 ) of said second flow guide ( 118 B) to said first end opening ( 110 A), said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A) being closer than said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said second flow guide ( 118 B) to said first end opening ( 110 A). 
 
 
     
     
       2. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 1 , wherein said first flow conditioning structure ( 108 ) includes a third flow guide ( 118 C) of generally circular form when viewed in transverse cross-section and located at least partially within and radially spaced from said second flow guide ( 118 B), said third flow guide ( 118 C) having generally the same axial orientation as said inner peripheral surface ( 112 ), said third flow guide ( 118 C) having an upstream guide end ( 132 ) and a downstream guide end ( 134 ), said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said third flow guide ( 118 C) being closer than said downstream guide end ( 134 ) of said third flow guide ( 118 C) to said first end opening ( 110 A) and said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said second flow guide ( 118 B) being closer than said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said third flow guide ( 118 C) to said first end opening ( 110 A). 
     
     
       3. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 2 , wherein said third flow guide ( 118 C) has a guide inner surface ( 124 ) facing generally radially-inward away and having generally the same axial orientation as said inner peripheral surface ( 112 ). 
     
     
       4. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 1 , wherein said first flow guide ( 118 A) and said second flow guide ( 118 B) have a foil shape. 
     
     
       5. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 1 , wherein said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A) is thicker than said downstream guide end ( 134 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A). 
     
     
       6. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 1 , wherein said downstream guide end ( 134 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A) is thinner than said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A). 
     
     
       7. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) have a foil shape. 
     
     
       8. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) have a vane upstream end ( 140 ) and a vane downstream end ( 142 ), said vane upstream end ( 140 ) is closer than said vane downstream end ( 142 ) to said first end opening ( 110 A) and said vane upstream end ( 140 ) is thicker than said vane downstream end ( 142 ). 
     
     
       9. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) have a vane upstream end ( 140 ) and a vane downstream end ( 142 ), said vane upstream end ( 140 ) is closer than said vane downstream end ( 142 ) to said first end opening ( 110 A) and said vane downstream end ( 142 ) is thinner than said vane upstream end ( 140 ). 
     
     
       10. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) have generally the same axial orientation as said inner peripheral surface ( 112 ). 
     
     
       11. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 1 , wherein said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A) is closer than said downstream guide end ( 134 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A) to said pipe element ( 102 ). 
     
     
       12. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 1 , wherein said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said second flow guide ( 118 B) is closer than said downstream guide end ( 134 ) of said second flow guide ( 118 B) to said pipe element ( 102 ). 
     
     
       13. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) have a vane upstream end ( 140 ) and a vane downstream end ( 142 ), said vane upstream end ( 140 ) is closer than said vane downstream end ( 142 ) to said first end opening ( 110 A) and said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) have an axial length between said vane upstream end ( 140 ) and said vane downstream end ( 142 ); and 
 said first flow guide ( 118 A) has an axial length between said upstream guide end ( 132 ) and said downstream guide end ( 134 ), said axial length of said first flow guide ( 118 A) is longer than said axial length of said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ). 
 
     
     
       14. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 1 , wherein said first flow guide ( 118 A) has at least one flow guide vent ( 146 ) forming a passage passing in a generally radial direction through said first flow guide ( 118 A). 
     
     
       15. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said first flow guide ( 118 A) has an axial length between said upstream guide end ( 132 ) and said downstream guide end ( 134 ); and 
 said first flow guide ( 118 A) has at least one flow guide vent ( 146 ) forming a passage passing in a generally radial direction through said first flow guide ( 118 A) and passing in a generally axial direction through said first flow guide ( 118 A) from said upstream guide end ( 132 ) to said downstream guide end ( 134 ). 
 
     
     
       16. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) locating said first flow guide ( 118 A) has a vane upstream end ( 140 ) and a vane downstream end ( 142 ), said vane upstream end ( 140 ) is closer than said vane downstream end ( 142 ) to said first end opening ( 110 A) and said vane downstream end ( 142 ) is closer than said vane upstream end ( 140 ) to said second end opening ( 110 B), and said upstream guide end ( 132 ) being closer than said vane upstream end ( 140 ) to said first end opening ( 110 A). 
     
     
       17. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) locating said first flow guide ( 118 A) has a vane upstream end ( 140 ) and a vane downstream end ( 142 ), said vane upstream end ( 140 ) is closer than said vane downstream end ( 142 ) to said first end opening ( 110 A) and said vane downstream end ( 142 ) is closer than said vane upstream end ( 140 ) to said second end opening ( 110 B), and said downstream guide end ( 134 ) being closer than said vane downstream end ( 142 ) to said second end opening ( 110 B). 
     
     
       18. A downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ), comprising:
 a pipe element ( 102 ) for conducting the flow of a fluid, being an annular conduit defining a radially inwardly facing inner peripheral surface ( 112 ) that forms at least a portion of an axially oriented fluid passageway extending from a generally axially-facing first end opening ( 110 A) to a generally axially-facing second end opening ( 110 B); 
 at least one flow conditioning structure ( 108 ) located at least partially within said pipe element ( 102 ) and comprising:
 a) at least a first flow guide ( 118 A) of generally circular form when viewed in transverse cross-section located at least partially within and radially spaced from said pipe element ( 102 ), said first flow guide ( 118 A) having generally the same axial orientation as said inner peripheral surface ( 112 ) of said pipe element ( 102 ); 
 b) a plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) situated at least partially between said pipe element ( 102 ) and said first flow guide ( 118 A) and locating said first flow guide ( 118 A) relative to said pipe element ( 102 ), at least some of said support vanes ( 120 ) having at least two vane flank surfaces ( 138 ) facing in generally opposite, generally circumferential directions, said support vanes ( 120 ) being circumferentially spaced from each other and circumferentially distributed around said first flow guide ( 118 A); 
 c) said first flow guide ( 118 A) having an upstream guide end ( 132 ) and a downstream guide end ( 134 ), said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A) being closer than said downstream guide end ( 134 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A) to said first end opening ( 110 A); and 
 d) said first flow guide ( 118 A) having a foil shape when viewed in longitudinal cross-section, said downstream guide end ( 134 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A) being thinner than said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A). 
 
 
     
     
       19. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 18 , wherein said at least one flow conditioning structure ( 108 ) further comprising:
 a second flow guide ( 118 B) of generally circular form when viewed in transverse cross-section located at least partially within and radially spaced from said first flow guide ( 118 A), said second flow guide ( 118 B) having generally the same axial orientation as said inner peripheral surface ( 112 ); 
 said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) including a second plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) situated at least partially between said first flow guide ( 118 A) and said second flow guide ( 118 B) and locating said second flow guide ( 118 B), said second plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) being circumferentially spaced from each other and circumferentially distributed around said second flow guide ( 118 B); and 
 said second flow guide ( 118 B) having an upstream guide end ( 132 ) and a downstream guide end ( 134 ), said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said second flow guide ( 118 B) being closer than said downstream guide end ( 134 ) of said second flow guide ( 118 B) to said first end opening ( 110 A), said second flow guide ( 118 B) having a foil shape when viewed in longitudinal cross-section, said downstream guide end ( 134 ) of said second flow guide ( 118 B) being thinner than said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said second flow guide ( 118 B). 
 
     
     
       20. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 18 , wherein at least some of said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) having a foil shape. 
     
     
       21. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 18 , wherein said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) have a vane upstream end ( 140 ) and a vane downstream end ( 142 ), said vane upstream end ( 140 ) being closer than said vane downstream end ( 142 ) to said first end opening ( 110 A) and said vane upstream end ( 140 ) being thicker than said vane downstream end ( 142 ). 
     
     
       22. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 18 , wherein said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) have a vane upstream end ( 140 ) and a vane downstream end ( 142 ), said vane upstream end ( 140 ) being closer than said vane downstream end ( 142 ) to said first end opening ( 110 A) and said vane downstream end ( 142 ) being thinner than said vane upstream end ( 140 ). 
     
     
       23. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 19 , wherein said first flow conditioning structure ( 108 ) includes a third flow guide ( 118 C) of generally circular form when viewed in transverse cross-section located at least partially within and radially spaced from said second flow guide ( 118 B), said third flow guide ( 118 C) having generally the same axial orientation as said inner peripheral surface ( 112 ), said third flow guide ( 118 C) having an upstream guide end ( 132 ) and a downstream guide end ( 134 ), said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said third flow guide ( 118 C) being closer than said downstream guide end ( 134 ) of said third flow guide ( 118 C) to said first end opening ( 110 A) and said downstream guide end ( 134 ) of said third flow guide ( 118 C) being thinner than said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said third flow guide ( 118 C). 
     
     
       24. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 23 , wherein said third flow guide ( 118 C) has a guide inner surface ( 124 ) facing generally radially inward and having generally the same axial orientation as said inner peripheral surface ( 112 ). 
     
     
       25. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 18 , wherein said first flow guide ( 118 A) and said second flow guide ( 118 B) are generally conical. 
     
     
       26. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 18 , wherein said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A) is closer than said downstream guide end ( 134 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A) to said pipe element ( 102 ). 
     
     
       27. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 19 , wherein said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said second flow guide ( 118 B) is closer than said downstream guide end ( 134 ) of said second flow guide ( 118 B) to said pipe element ( 102 ). 
     
     
       28. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 18 , wherein at least some of said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) have generally the same axial orientation as said inner peripheral surface ( 112 ). 
     
     
       29. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 19 , wherein said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A) is closer than said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said second flow guide ( 118 B) to said first end opening ( 110 A). 
     
     
       30. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 23 , wherein said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said second flow guide ( 118 B) is closer than said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said third flow guide ( 118 C) to said first end opening ( 110 A). 
     
     
       31. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 18 , wherein:
 said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) having a vane upstream end ( 140 ) and a vane downstream end ( 142 ), said vane upstream end ( 140 ) being closer than said vane downstream end ( 142 ) to said first end opening ( 110 A) and said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) having an axial length between said vane upstream end ( 140 ) and said vane downstream end ( 142 ); and 
 said first flow guide ( 118 A) having an axial length between said upstream guide end ( 132 ) and said downstream guide end ( 134 ), and said axial length of said first flow guide ( 118 A) being longer than said axial length of said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ). 
 
     
     
       32. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 18 , wherein said first flow guide ( 118 A) having at least one flow guide vent ( 146 ) forming a passage in said first flow guide ( 118 A) passing in a generally radial direction through said first flow guide ( 118 A). 
     
     
       33. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 18 , wherein:
 said first flow guide ( 118 A) having an axial length between said upstream guide end ( 132 ) and said downstream guide end ( 134 ); and 
 said first flow guide ( 118 A) having at least one flow guide vent ( 146 ) forming a passage in said first flow guide ( 118 A) passing in a generally radial direction through said first flow guide ( 118 A) and passing in a generally axial direction through said first flow guide ( 118 A) from said upstream guide end ( 132 ) to said downstream guide end ( 134 ). 
 
     
     
       34. The flow conditioning assembly ( 1 ) of  claim 19 , wherein said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A) is axially offset from said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said second flow guide ( 118 B), said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said second flow guide ( 118 B) is more recessed than said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A) relative to said first end opening ( 110 A). 
     
     
       35. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) having a vane upstream end ( 140 ) and a vane downstream end ( 142 ), said vane upstream end ( 140 ) being closer than said vane downstream end ( 142 ) to said first end opening ( 110 A) and said vane downstream end ( 142 ) being closer than said vane upstream end ( 140 ) to said second end opening ( 110 B), and said upstream guide end ( 132 ) being closer than said vane upstream end ( 140 ) to said first end opening ( 110 A). 
     
     
       36. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) having a vane upstream end ( 140 ) and a vane downstream end ( 142 ), said vane upstream end ( 140 ) being closer than said vane downstream end ( 142 ) to said first end opening ( 110 A) and said vane downstream end ( 142 ) being closer than said vane upstream end ( 140 ) to said second end opening ( 110 B), and said downstream guide end ( 134 ) being closer than said vane downstream end ( 142 ) to said second end opening ( 110 B). 
     
     
       37. A downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ), comprising:
 a pipe element ( 102 ) for conducting the flow of a fluid, being an annular conduit defining a radially inwardly facing inner peripheral surface ( 112 ) that forms at least a portion of an axially oriented fluid passageway extending from an axially-facing first end opening ( 110 A) to an axially-facing second end opening ( 110 B); 
 at least one flow conditioning structure ( 108 ) located at least partially within said pipe element ( 102 ) and comprising:
 a) at least a first flow guide ( 118 A) of generally circular form when viewed in transverse cross-section and located at least partially within and radially spaced from said pipe element ( 102 ), said first flow guide ( 118 A) having generally the same axial orientation as said inner peripheral surface ( 112 ) of said pipe element ( 102 ); 
 b) a plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) situated at least partially between said pipe element ( 102 ) and said first flow guide ( 118 A) and locating said first flow guide ( 118 A) relative to said pipe element ( 102 ), at least some of said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) having at least two vane flank surfaces ( 138 ) facing in generally opposite, generally circumferential directions, said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) being circumferentially spaced from each other and circumferentially distributed around said first flow guide ( 118 A); and 
 c) said first flow guide ( 118 A) having an upstream guide end ( 132 ) and a downstream guide end ( 134 ), said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A) being closer than said downstream guide end ( 134 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A) to said first end opening ( 110 A), and said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A) being closer than said downstream guide end ( 134 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A) to said pipe element ( 102 ). 
 
 
     
     
       38. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 37 , wherein said at least one flow conditioning structure ( 108 ) further comprises:
 a second flow guide ( 118 B) of generally circular form when viewed in transverse cross-section located at least partially within said first flow guide ( 118 A), said second flow guide ( 118 B) being radially spaced from said first flow guide ( 118 A) and having generally the same axial orientation as said inner peripheral surface ( 112 ); and 
 said second flow guide ( 118 B) having an upstream guide end ( 132 ) and a downstream guide end ( 134 ), said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said second flow guide ( 118 B) being closer than said downstream guide end ( 134 ) of said second flow guide ( 118 B) to said first end opening ( 110 A), said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said second flow guide ( 118 B) being closer than said downstream guide end ( 134 ) of said second flow guide ( 118 B) to said pipe element ( 102 ); and 
 said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) including a second plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) situated at least partially between said first flow guide ( 118 A) and said second flow guide ( 118 B) and locating said second flow guide ( 118 B), said second plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) being circumferentially spaced from each other and circumferentially distributed around said second flow guide ( 118 B). 
 
     
     
       39. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 38 , wherein said at least one flow conditioning structure ( 108 ) further comprises:
 a third flow guide ( 118 C) of generally circular form when viewed in transverse cross-section and located at least partially within and radially spaced from said second flow guide ( 118 B), said third flow guide ( 118 C) having generally the same axial orientation as said inner peripheral surface ( 112 ), said third flow guide ( 118 C) having an upstream guide end ( 132 ) and a downstream guide end ( 134 ), said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said third flow guide ( 118 C) being closer than said downstream guide end ( 134 ) of said third flow guide ( 118 C) to said first end opening ( 110 A), said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said third flow guide ( 118 C) being closer than said downstream guide end ( 134 ) of said third flow guide ( 118 C) to said pipe element ( 102 ); and 
 said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) including a third plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) situated at least partially between said second flow guide ( 118 B) and said third flow guide ( 118 C) and locating said third flow guide ( 118 C), said third plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) being circumferentially spaced from each other and circumferentially distributed around said third flow guide ( 118 C). 
 
     
     
       40. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 39 , wherein said third flow guide ( 118 C) having a guide inner surface ( 124 ) facing generally radially inward away from said pipe element ( 102 ) and having generally the same axial orientation as said inner peripheral surface ( 112 ). 
     
     
       41. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 37 , wherein said first flow guide ( 118 A) has a foil shape. 
     
     
       42. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 38 , wherein said first flow guide ( 118 A) and said second flow guide ( 118 B) have a foil shape. 
     
     
       43. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 37 , wherein said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A) is thicker than said downstream guide end ( 134 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A). 
     
     
       44. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 37 , wherein said downstream guide end ( 134 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A) is thinner than said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A). 
     
     
       45. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 37 , wherein said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) have a foil shape. 
     
     
       46. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 37 , wherein said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) have a vane upstream end ( 140 ) and a vane downstream end ( 142 ), said vane upstream end ( 140 ) being closer than said vane downstream end ( 142 ) to said first end opening ( 110 A) and said vane downstream end ( 142 ) being closer than said vane upstream end ( 140 ) to said second end opening ( 110 B), and said vane upstream end ( 140 ) being thicker than said vane downstream end ( 142 ). 
     
     
       47. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 37 , wherein said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) have a vane upstream end ( 140 ) and a vane downstream end ( 142 ), said vane upstream end ( 140 ) being closer than said vane downstream end ( 142 ) to said first end opening ( 110 A) and said vane downstream end ( 142 ) being closer than said vane upstream end ( 140 ) to said second end opening ( 110 B), and said vane downstream end ( 142 ) being thinner than said vane upstream end ( 140 ). 
     
     
       48. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 37 , wherein at least some of said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) have generally the same axial orientation as said inner peripheral surface ( 112 ). 
     
     
       49. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 38 , wherein said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A) is closer than said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said second flow guide ( 118 B) to said first end opening ( 110 A). 
     
     
       50. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 39 , wherein said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said second flow guide ( 118 B) is closer than said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said third flow guide ( 118 C) to said first end opening ( 110 A). 
     
     
       51. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 37 , wherein:
 said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) have a vane upstream end ( 140 ) and a vane downstream end ( 142 ), said vane upstream end ( 140 ) being closer than said vane downstream end ( 142 ) to said first end opening ( 110 A) and said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) have an axial length between said vane upstream end ( 140 ) and said vane downstream end ( 142 ); and 
 said first flow guide ( 118 A) has an axial length between said upstream guide end ( 132 ) and said downstream guide end ( 134 ), said axial length of said first flow guide ( 118 A) being longer than said axial length of said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ). 
 
     
     
       52. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 37 , wherein said first flow guide ( 118 A) has at least one flow guide vent ( 146 ) forming a passage in said first flow guide ( 118 A) passing in a generally radial direction through said first flow guide ( 118 A). 
     
     
       53. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 37 , wherein:
 said first flow guide ( 118 A) has an axial length between said upstream guide end ( 132 ) and said downstream guide end ( 134 ); and 
 said first flow guide ( 118 A) has at least one flow guide vent ( 146 ) forming a passage in said first flow guide ( 118 A) passing in a generally radial direction through said first flow guide ( 118 A) and passing in a generally axial direction through said first flow guide ( 118 A) from said upstream guide end ( 132 ) to said downstream guide end ( 134 ). 
 
     
     
       54. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 38 , wherein said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A) is axially offset from said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said second flow guide ( 118 B), and said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said second flow guide ( 118 B) is more recessed than said upstream guide end ( 132 ) of said first flow guide ( 118 A) relative to said first end opening ( 110 A). 
     
     
       55. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 37 , wherein at least one of said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) having a vane upstream end ( 140 ) and a vane downstream end ( 142 ), said vane upstream end ( 140 ) being closer than said vane downstream end ( 142 ) to said first end opening ( 110 A) and said vane downstream end ( 142 ) being closer than said vane upstream end ( 140 ) to said second end opening ( 110 B), and said upstream guide end ( 132 ) being closer than said vane upstream end ( 140 ) to said first end opening ( 110 A). 
     
     
       56. The downstream flow conditioner ( 4 ) of  claim 37 , wherein at least one of said plurality of support vanes ( 120 ) having a vane upstream end ( 140 ) and a vane downstream end ( 142 ), said vane upstream end ( 140 ) being closer than said vane downstream end ( 142 ) to said first end opening ( 110 A) and said vane downstream end ( 142 ) being closer than said vane upstream end ( 140 ) to said second end opening ( 110 B), and said downstream guide end ( 134 ) being closer than said vane downstream end ( 142 ) to said second end opening ( 110 B).